Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi:Overview & History

The Minami area features many locations that display Osaka's unique charm, such as Namba, Dotonbori, and Sennichimae. In the Edo period, theaters were built near the Dotonbori River, which laid the foundations for the entertainment city that you see today. Hankai Railway Namba Station opened in 1885, and JR Namba Station, Nankai Railway Namba Station, and Osaka Metro Namba Station followed suit, making Namba into Osaka's second biggest transportation hub. With great access to nearby regions including Nara, Wakayama, Nagoya, and Mie, the Minami area is a huge downtown district bustling with many people coming from different places.

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi:Area Introduction

The Minami area includes Namba, Dotonbori, and Sennichimae. It is the largest downtown district in the Kansai region, and sports many shopping malls, theaters, and eating establishments. With a direct train service from Kansai International Airport, the area attracts many tourists from home and abroad.

Namba Surrounding Areas

The Namba area boasts many shopping malls, electronics retail stores, and other commercial facilities. There are also many comedy theaters such as Namba Grand Kagetsu. With an underground mall connecting Osaka Metro Namba Station, Kintetsu/Hanshin Osaka-Namba Station, and JR Namba Station, you can get around easily even if it rains.

Dotonbori Surrounding Areas

The Dotonbori area boasts a colorful assortment of iconic landmarks unique to Osaka, including the Glico billboard, Kuidaore Taro (a well-known restaurant mascot), and Kani Doraku (a restaurant with a giant moving crab model outside). With many eating establishments and theaters as well as a vibrant atmosphere pervading throughout, this area represents Osaka, the heart of commerce and the home of Japanese comedy.

Shinsaibashi Surrounding Areas

Shinsaibashi is a well-known shopping arcade, spanning from north to south over some 580 meters and including the Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street. It stands at the forefront of fashion trends in Osaka, and is home to the eclectic America-Mura.

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi:Must-See Events

Mid-January: Toka Ebisu Festival

This festival is commonly called "Ebessan," where people pray to Ebisu, the patron deity of commerce, in hope of success in business. The festival is held at many Ebisu shrines across a variety of locations. In Osaka, the Toka Ebisu Festival held at the Imamiya-ebisu Shrine is well-known.

Early April: Kouzu-gu's Spring Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival

A cherry blossom viewing festival is held at Kozugu Shrine in early April every year. At night, bonbori (paper lanterns) are displayed within the grounds of Kouzu-gu Shrine and in Kozu Park, creating a spectacular, mesmerizing view of cherry blossoms at night.

Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi:Access

Access from Kansai International Airport to Namba

From Kansai Airport Station, take the Nankai Airport Line Airport-Express bound for Namba, ride for 45 minutes, and then get off at Namba Station on the Nankai Line.

Access from Osaka International Airport to Namba

From Osaka Airport Station, take the Osaka Monorail bound for Kadoma-shi, ride for three minutes, then get off at Hotarugaike Station. Transfer to the Hankyu Takarazuka Line Express bound for Umeda, ride for 15 minutes, then get off at Hankyu Umeda Station. Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line bound for Tenno-ji, ride for nine minutes, and then get off at Osaka Metro Namba Station.

Access from Kyoto Station to Namba

From Kyoto Station, take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Line Special Rapid Service bound for Himeji, ride for 28 minutes, get off at Osaka Station, and then walk from JR Osaka Station to Osaka Metro Umeda Station. Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line bound for Tenno-ji from Umeda Station, ride for nine minutes, and then get off at Osaka Metro Namba Station.

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